The Millionaire Mom Adventure

Hundreds of People are Striving to Make Your Life Better Can You Believe It?

I'm so glad it's almost Thanksgiving!  How wonderful to have a holiday devoted to Gratitude.  It's such a timely reminder that our life gets better when we focus on what we do HAVE rather than on what we're still lacking.  One of the best reminders I once got about gratitude was to express warmth and appreciation to all the humans you meet who make your life better through their service.  This might be the grocery store clerk, the mailman, your child's teacher, or a crossing-guard, etc..  It takes the work of so many people to make our life flow. 

What about the farmer who grew the lettuce in your salad?  What about the trucker who drove it to market?  What about the grocery department clerk who  threw away the dead leaves and kept it moist so it would taste great on your table?  What about the person who assembled your shopping cart?  We have no idea how many people are pitching in to make our life better.  When I think about it that way, I feel more grateful than ever.  Wow! So much time and intelligence were invested in the U.S. over the years to make complex systems to satisfy our needs quickly and easily!  We're so lucky!

I AM TRULY GRATEFUL for what I have and to those of you who are taking the time to read my thoughts.

THANK YOU!  I hope you have a peaceful, love-filled holiday.

Bridget

Are You In "In The Know"? Are You "In The Now"?

Do you know what this is?? If you've been in this building and seen this intriguing object, please post a comment at the end of this entry.  Just for fun!

DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE "IN THE KNOW"?

There is SO MUCH to know about whatever areas of life interest us.  I feel discouraged when I focus on how much I still don't know.  On the other hand, when I focus on all that I have learned in my lifetime, I feel rich.  How's that for proof that HOW YOU FOCUS YOUR MIND MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE!

I have always loved reading and benefited enormously from the information in books.  One of my favorite activities is to go to the library and borrow a book that catches my eye, solely on the basis of it's title.  I have had some of the most magical experiences doing that.

A few years ago, I read a biography of Martha Graham that way.  The fact that it wasn't a parenting book  and that I actually took it off the shelf, marked my emergence from the kind of intense toddler parenting  that had distracted me from reading for seeming eons.  Her story reminded me that I had also once been a very creative, ambitious person seeking answers to her own questions.  Answering my children's questions had taken over my existence, but now I once again felt the stirring inside to resume a more personal quest.

I also got THE POWER OF NOW in the same manner.  And CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD.  More recently, it's been NEVER GIVE UP and CD's about Neurobic activities for the brain to boost memory.  Oh, and what about MEDITATIONS TO CHANGE YOUR BRAIN,the CD's on meditation that "happened" to give me vital data I needed to incorporate into my Feldenkrais® pitches in New York at The National Publicity Summit?  I recommend all of the above!

ARE YOU "IN THE KNOW" ABOUT BEING  "IN THE NOW"?

The evidence is building up.  The stories by others.  My own experiences of being given help from unexpected sources.  I don't know if you can relate to this, but my world-view really cracked open when I listened to Joyce Meyer's Never Give Up on CD.  She is a Christian Minister.  I don't generally listen to ministers and I have resistance to religion, because I wasn't raised with it and I had the opinion that many people involved in churches don't think for themselves.  Words like "obey" generally send me running in the other direction.  But Joyce interpreted passages from the Bible in ways which made sense to me for the first time ever.  She didn't sound like she wanted me to be less than.  Her interpretation of the Bible reveals how Jesus was the first Life Coach, teaching strategies to tap into the quantum field of possibilities so that we can each reach our peak potential.  For the first time, I thought ( I know it sounds silly)  "Oh, so that's why people have been reading that boring book for thousands of years."

What I want to tell you, if you don't know already, and if you can wrap your mind around this idea without getting skeptical, is that I receive guidance "in the now" which is helping my life  transform from the dream of what I wanted, into my reality.  I NOW think that "obey" is about having the courage to say "Yes" when an idea or opportunity pops onto your radar screen that's related to your dreams.  I think that "Being in the Now", which I understand as being open-minded to receive information without creating interference from anxious thoughts related to the future, allows me to KNOW what to do next on my millionaire mom adventure.  This practice is new to me.  Obviously, religious people have understood, and tried to communicate their wisdom  for thousands of years. It's exciting for me to observe how the spiritual understandings I'm learning  interface smoothly with quantum science discoveries. 

If you are not already exploring this aspect of the Art of Living, I really encourage you to do so.  I think that consciously using THE NOW to KNOW, without having to run to a book shelf or ask someone else's opinion, is going to become more and more mainstream in American 21st Century culture.  Keep reading, of course, but do so in a context of comparing what you feel and believe to what you read. 

DON'T UNDERESTIMATE YOURSELF.

I truly believe that when we give over authority to another person, giving their opinion more weight than the voice inside our own head, we endanger our progress towards self-realization.  Heed "the tiny voice" that's urging you on towards greatness.  Don't seek rationals from others about why you shouldn't take action on your ideas.  Obey your desire for self-expression and creativity.  Humans are here to create.  That's why we have our miraculous brain and hands and speech and loving hearts.

I can't wait to see the positive effect so many people daring to do great deeds is going to have on our communal destiny!

I'd love to read any ideas these words spark in people!

Enjoying the Roller Coaster Ride Called "Life"

Recently I have had experiences in my own self and in my family of a roller coaster of emotions.  One hour someone can be down, and the next they're up.  Or vice versa.  Last week,  I tried to make peace in a situation that seemed  impossible to resolve.  Hurt feelings.  Doors shut.  I did as much consoling as I could and then started washing the dishes.  By the time I was through, the rival factions had worked out their problems without me.  Go figure.

I find it helpful to remember that emotions are born of our experience in a given moment.   Emotions can change rapidly like a roller coaster track.  Without variation, the ride would be boring.  Our perception of the present is informed by our past of course , but essentially, feelings are our brain's biochemical response  to sensory information  received in the here and now. 

Starting a new business can feel like riding a roller coaster for the first time.  There's anticipation, maybe excitement, maybe  dread.  There are rapid shifts of sensation in the pit of your stomach.  One moment a great idea falls flat, but around the next curve you're elated by  unexpected support.  When the moment passes, our feelings need to shift to accommodate our next experience.  Even though it's tempting, holding on to negative emotions traps us in the past.  When we hold on to fear, blame, and anger, we rob ourselves of energy to meet new challenges and brain processing power to capitalize on  new opportunities.  Holding on to positive feelings can blind us to  the needs of the current market.

On the fast track to success, I want my eyes wide open so I can shift my weight to avoid whiplash.  I'm going  with the flow, observing what's appearing in front of me and responding accordingly.  I'm going to say "Yes!" to adrenaline and "Yes!" to thrills, and even "Yes!" to fear.   The CHOICE to experience these feelings strengthens my will-power.  I become stronger than my fear.  I become a person who can handle sharp curves and fast drops without freezing up.

I am carried forward with minimal effort and maximum speed.  I'm enjoying the ride, because saying "Yes!" to uncomfortable feelings, as well as to excitement,  enables me to accelerate the speed at which I learn what I need to know and create relationships with key people who can help me reach my goals.  The ups and downs don't matter too much because they're both  part of forward movement.  I am becoming one with the ride. You don't have to wait in line for this one, just hop on!

Leap and the Net Will Appear

Is this boy falling or flying?

What do you expect when you try something for the first time?

Do you feel afraid, or do you trust the process?

You probably can't remember how many times you tried to walk before you "got it".  What about putting your head under water?  For most of us, that was really scary. Now it's effortless!

Our EXPECTATIONS and our ATTITUDE about experimentation have EVERYTHING to do with our success. 

I'm LEAPING into the blogosphere.  I love Stephen R. Covey's idea in The 8th Habit From Effectiveness to Greatness: expand your sphere of influence by finding your voice and helping others to find theirs.  He quotes from Cluetrain Manifesto (1999): "The spiritual lure of the Web is the promise of the return of voice."   (So much more to share on this juicy topic in upcoming posts!)

I promise myself to boldly express whatever I think will help reduce human suffering and increase joy and prosperity.  I promise you that what I say can radically improve your life. I promise to share my current knowledge and my discoveries on my quest to become a multi-millionaire world-class philanthropist by May 2011.  May my journey inspire you to launch your own adventure. Keep me and the rest of this growing community posted!

As my wonderful Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) teacher Valerie Raineri likes to say, "Leap and the net will appear."

Take time to stop and smell the roses

Wow!  All of a sudden it seems like I've gotten way too busy.  In expanding my reach for new knowledge and connecting to new people who can help me reach my goals, I have more possibilities popping up around me then I can respond to!  I'm like a kid in a candy store, on a budget.  Sometimes I feel very frustrated.  And I start to worry about opportunities that are getting away from me.  What I'm lacking is TIME!  (I'm pretty sure you can relate. )

So...here's how I'm coping.

#1 Prioritize my actions to make sure that I follow through on all of my commitments. 

#2 Ask for help.  Napolean Hill says that you can't be really successful all by yourself.  You have to cooperate with other people.  I understand this more and more.  The "other people" can be collaborators or customers, but one way or another, it's only through cultivating successful relationships that we reach big goals.  Since money is tight for a lot of people these days, it's a great time to experiment with creating win-win relationships that aren't solely based on money.  When more money starts flowing, you may find that you've put yourself in the perfect position to cash in.

#3 Daily calming ritual.  Over the last few months, I've organically evolved my own short ritual times that get me out of reaction mode and enable me to attune myself with thoughts and feelings that empower and refresh me.  These times are like watering a rose that's starting to wilt so it can keep giving off it's fragrance. 

In the morning, I love to sit in the sunlight and feel it's warmth radiate over me. This feeling reminds me that I'm part of the warmth and light shining through the cosmos (as long as I don't let the clouds block me).

In the evening, I love to listen to soothing music, light scented candles, and reflect on  inspirational text.  These moments of symbolically "smelling the roses" enable me to remove myself from the pull of ordinary reality long enough to be reminded that I am here to do extraordinary things, that I can accomplish them by becoming an extraordinary character, and that that, takes TIME.

I know I don't want to be a stressed out, uptight character, no matter how rich I get, so practicing the graceful acceptance of both the possibilities and limitations of the current moment, actually helps me.  I think I'll go light a candle right now!

Halloween, Costumes, & Characters

 

 
 

One of the things many people don't realize is just how unstable our personality is.  By "unstable", I don't mean crazy, I mean our behavior, thoughts, and feelings change frequently, even within one day, depending upon many factors.  This reminds me of the Feldenkrais® point that standing still is actually harder on our bodies than walking.  Moshe Feldenkrais liked to refer to what we call "posture" as "acture" - being ready at a moment's notice to  move in a desired direction. 

HOW OFTEN DO YOU CHOOSE "TO MOVE" YOUR PERSONALITY IN A DESIRED DIRECTION?

If you were an actress, you would be used to coming up with different characters to fit the stories you are enacting.  It's not that hard with a little practice.  Imagine yourself living under different circumstances with different goals and voilá, you behave differently. 

This Halloween, let's reflect upon the characters we feel comfortable playing and those that feel awkward or scary.  What does that tell you about your personality?  If you have certain goals set for yourself, is your character comfortable  living in the world that includes that goal?

Think beyond the concept.  Imagine IF you had your goal.  Can you imagine the other components that would have to be in place for your goal to materialize?  Can your present character readily imagine these things?  If so, I'm sure you're well on your way to reaching your goals.  If not, don't feel discouraged.  Start acting.  Just for fun, dress up like the person who has achieved the goal.  Walk like that person.  What thoughts go through your mind?  What feelings?  Ask a friend or partner to be your audience and tell them about your life.  If it feels scary, DO IT anyway!  As long as you're with someone you trust, you are going to feel empowered by

DARING TO  VOICE  AN ASPECT OF YOURSELF  WHICH YOU'RE STILL HIDING FROM THE WORLD.

By giving yourself the GIFT of self-expression, you will KNOW that you CAN do it and the next times will get easier and easier.  Gently nudge yourself over the anxiety hump, and you'll see how well-being will begin to flow.

Don't let Halloween be a time for fear.   Make time for dress-up!! May the holiday  remind you each year that you can play any part you desire on the Stage of Life. 

Image from Dreamstime.  WHO is animating this ghost?  What spirit is animating you?

Quantum Leap

I'm back from the National Publicity Summit in New York.  I have never felt stronger or more capable of turning my dreams into reality.  There is so much TO LEARN form successful people and so much to be gained by cultivating THE RIGHT ATTITUDE inside yourself.  By right attitude I mean a way of relating to the world based on the impulse to connect and contribute rather than withholding your gifts with the attitude of "I'm not good enough yet", "they don't really need me", or "I just don't belong".  I've signed up for a Quantum Leap mentoring program because I am absolutely committed to my success.  I am going to be sharing what I learn along the way.  I encourage you to take advantage of what I'm learning and share your own tips with the rest of us.  Make the world brighter by sharing your radiant gifts with everyone you meet today!

SUCCESS

comes from taking advantage of opportunities overlooked by others

I'm not sure who made up that statement, but it's one of my favorites.  I have it on my Magic Mirror.

Leaping With Joy

There are some kinds of things that you do that change you forever.  Often these events have some extraordinary quality.  They're often the kinds of things you don't LET yourself do every day - for one reason or another.  I think that if you were saying "yes" to these ideas more often, your life would be moving much faster toward your goals. This process reminds me of turning life into a challenging game.  You engage for the thrill of the process; you engage to win.  Losing just isn't what it's about.  What's the point?

I said "yes" to my impulse to attend an "expensive" national publicity summit in New York.  It was scary to commit because I didn't want to waste money.  However, I also realized that if I actually believe in my own potential, and I do, the invest will pay off many times over.

It's true, I don't have a book to promote, like many of the other participants.  However, I've gathered my thoughts and probably gotten about 500% better at talking about The Feldenkrais Method®.  I'm having the experience of being accepted, respected, and appreciated among a peer group of other innovative, talented people.  I feel like I belong here. I'm more prepared than some - that gives me extra confidence.  I'm less prepared than others - that gives me a model to copy.  It's all good.  I had an expert pitch coach rework a pitch for free.  I'm learning many strategies about how to connect with people from  the media. The main point is to talk about your area of expertise from an angle that they are interested in.  That way, the conversation is really win-win and much more likely to lead to further dialog.

Today I spent about 6 hours talking, or standing in line waiting to talk, to major media producers & publishers.  (it went by quickly, don't worry, and there was a lunch break).  Here's what happened:

CBS News "good pitch" - maybe

New Living Magazine - send her a short article.  She'll print it.

Freeland Writer #1 Cosmo, Health, Fitness - maybe. She  told me I looked beautiful.

Men's Health - probably not but encouraged me to follow up on my Curves idea

Fitness Guy Radio Program - follow up, thinks he can work it in if I can get a funny angle

Freelance Writer #2 - California Mag, Rolling Stone, etc.  Interested in the trend .  Will look at my site.

Glamour "I'll keep you in my file as Glamour's Feldenkrais expert

World of Work Radio - Send him a paragraph.  He might interview me for an hour.

Publicity consultant - told me my domain names suck, I should get a book written so I can "become an expert"

Got a better opening pitch from Alex "If I told you that it is actually possible to exercise, get smarter and never break a sweat, what would you say?

Family Circle - She'll visit my site, reframe the info for her and she might be able to use it

Syndicated columnist - "Definitely follow up!"  She wants to try out the product (Feldenkrais cd)

Freelance Writer #3 - "This is interesting.  I promise to look into it."

Parenting Magazine - Maybe if I could reframe it

Newsweek  "yes, we do stories on health.  Definitely follow up with me.

Barry's Ideas Radio Show - "a woman with a nice smile"  Send me a paragraph.  Maybe.

Now to Wow Radio Show - "I like you"  She needs a little time to research it.  She'll follow up with me.

CBS News Early Show - follow up

All those possibilities came from 2 sessions of conversations.  I get to do three more.  I bet you can guess that I'm a little bit

LEAPING for JOY!!!!

Say "yes" to your dreams so you can feel the joy too!  It will empower you.

Aim. Fire. Ready!

This is a photo of me in kindergarten, I think.   I was all bright-eyed and bushy tailed back then - and I still pretty much am today!

I think "Aim. Fire. Ready!" is probably one of the secrets to life!  I wouldn't have accomplished half as many things  if I had waited to start them until I felt ready.  I wouldn't have gotten married.  I wouldn't have become a mom. I wouldn't have launched into my career as a Feldenkrais Practitioner® or started an improv company. 

And now, I've aimed myself for this big shindig national publicity summit in New York.   The pressure is ON!!  I haven't slept much in the last few days (or blogged!) because I have hardly had a spare moment between arranging logistics for me in New York, for my kids for 6 days while I'm gone, having relatives from Poland visiting, creating short videos, two websites, great "pitches," and a "One Page" about all the great story ideas I have for the producers and publishers that I'm going to meet.

But the thing is, I'm on fire!  Have you ever felt like that?  I have so much enthusiasm for what I'm doing that I hardly need to eat or sleep.  When you allow yourself to follow your passion, that's what happens.  Work becomes play and you don't know what happens to the hours in the day.  Try it.  You'll Like it!

One of my favorite quotes ever was on a Fred Babb t-shirt : "Time Grows Meaningless in the Face of Creativity."  So true.

I'd love to hear comments about other people's experience of feeling ignited by enthusiasm...or anything else, that idea brings up for you.  Please tell us about it.

I Want the Google Web Crawler to Find My Blog

google-site-verification: googleb8cedfed0417fa42.html

I hope this works.  I'm trying to follow a google process so that it's web crawler can find my blog and make it easier for others to find.  I would love to get feedback on what I've written so far.  Please write me a comment.  I'd be so grateful and if you think the blog's interesting, please tell some friends!  I've got a lot more ideas I'd like to share with you.  Right now I'm super busy preparing for my trip to the  national publicity summit in New York.  I'll have some more good stuff soon that I'm pulling together for that.